The Bionomics of South African Insects. 381 



Four Protmtia amakosa and four Oxythyrcct clyscnterica 

 were refused by female at first but eaten rapidly by male. 

 The female eventually ate one of the latter, but evidently 

 in doubt. 



The above experiments were conducted at Salisbury in 

 December 1898. 



1899. 



Jan, 7. PsiloptercV are all eaten readily by baboons. 

 „ 28. Byllia ilithyia eaten by young baboon 

 {Papio iKircarms). A Clythm wah/bergiwas 

 offered to baboon, but immediately refused 

 on being smelt (it has a vco-y decided 

 Coccinclla-like odour). The Goccinellid 

 Epilachna dregei was refused. 

 „ 29. Offered the Longicorn, Cerojjlcsis fallax, to 

 the baboon, which smelt it and shook his 

 head, showing evident alarm when the 

 insect strid ulated ; on my pulling off the 

 head he took the body and pulled it to 

 pieces, smelling each part, but would not 

 eat it. I then offered him a large brightly- 

 coloured Cetoniid, Co3lorrhina loricata; its 

 strong smell was clearly distasteful to 

 him, so I put the insect on his hand ; he 

 was much frightened and tried to shake 

 it off, but could not, owing to its long 

 claws, and was thoroughly terrified by 

 the loud buzzing it made as it finally flew 

 off. Offered Piezicc selousi to the baboon ; 

 I could tell by the way that he tried to 

 snatch sharply at it that he recognized it, 

 and when he did seize it he threw it 

 violently on the ground, rubbing it with 

 his hands (as is their custom with dis- 

 tasteful insects). I picked it up and gave 

 it to him again ; he then ate the head, 

 took a bite out of the abdomen and threw 

 the rest away. 



Feb. 1. Another young baboon ate two B. scverina 

 and two B. racstntina with evident relish. 

 It then refused Onitis alexia at sight and 

 would not even touch it. An example of 

 Anomaliims plchcius was then taken, smelt 



